Escaping the Rain (Day 4, EE)

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa let herself be taken along on the slow but happy ride of the Shinjo's flute. When the song was over, she applauded.

"Well done, Akil-san." she said. "What is that piece called?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"The Dancing Maiden," he offered, "it was one of my favorites when I was learning. Not a terribly difficult piece on it's own, but I like to add my own touch to it just to give it a bit of flair."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa nods.

"It's both important for an artist to show that they can perform a work as written, and to show that they can infuse it with their own creativity." she offers.

She looks over at him again.

"I'm glad I chose to run to here rather than my yurt. I just hope all that leather means it's better at protecting what is within than a silk tent would be." she adds.

[Shinjo Akil]

"most of your things should be fine," he offered, "Yurts are sturdy, a downpour on its own won't be enough to knock them down. And the leather should protect your things will enough."

[Doji Fukawa]

It was all almost too perfect. They were alone. The rain was pouring outside. He was a hero of the Unicorn, she a Doji bride.

Yet, words failed her. The one thing she was good at, her voice, felt like it was be clamped down upon by her heart.

But she had to say SOMETHING. The rain....no they'd already talked about the rain...

"So how is the miai going for you, Akil-san?" she asked, almost instantly regretting the words.

[Shinjo Akil]

"It is pleasant," he offered her, looking to her with a smile. "I have met some very pleasant people here, and I am grateful for the amount of understanding offered. At present, I think perhaps there are three people who I could see an amicable match with?"

[Doji Fukawa]

Three?!? came the thought as if Fukawa had stepped outside.

She felt as if her On had not been tested to the breaking point so thoroughly as it had when Brutaj sniffed her.

Fortunately, she had the rain, and a decent amount of space from Akil to give her time to compose herself.

"Truly, Benten-no-kami is smiling upon you to find so many good matches, Akil-san."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Perhaps," he nodded, "at the least, it means if something happens with one, then there is a contingency?" He considered that a moment, then looked down. "Truth be told, I am not a fan of looking at it in that fashion. But... at least two of the people I do really like, and I do sincerely hope that however it turns out, my relationship with both remains amicable."

[Doji Fukawa]

You have learned our ways too well, Akil. Fukawa thought.


"That is...a wise decision. Really at any gathering of different clan samurai, one should be looking for ways to expand their network of contacts." she replies.

[Shinjo Akil]

"Indeed," he nodded and smiled, looking back up to her. "May I have permission to be forward, Fukawa-san? I know it is typically frowned upon."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa turns to him and nods.

"Of course, Akil-san. Moto Brutaj has taught me that I need to make certain.....allowances for directness at this miai. It is only ten days after all, and certain ways of speaking are just not going to reach the point in that time with some people" she replies.

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded, and for a moment, he couldn't find the words he wanted to use. So he looked away, his face red. "As I said, there are two that I would really hope for. Well," another pause, "one of them is you. I had kind of walked around it before, but I wanted to ensure it was said in no uncertain terms that I would be very happy were I married to you. And if things were made such that it was not the case... I would want to know that you and I would be able to continue to regard each other fondly."

[Doji Fukawa]

Of course he would. A Crane bride or a Cran ally is a rich prize indeed. Fukawa thought.

"Of the Unicorn I have seen, I have counted you as the best match for me, Akil-san." she admits. "If we do not end up together, I would still like to aid the Unicorn in their return, as best I can.

[Shinjo Akil]

"I am glad," he smiled nervously. "Because I like you a lot, and would hate for circumstances to cause us to not be able to see each other." He took a breath. "I am not exactly poetic, but..." he frowns, looking down, clearly uncertain of what he's supposed to say next. Romance is dumb.

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa walks over closer to Akil. The rain had purged the perfume upon her, and left it's own scent behind.

"In the spirit of this miai, Akil-san, I can take more Honesty if poetry is not to be found." she offers, interested in what he's trying to say.